Grange Clarendon Hotel

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Grange Clarendon? It’s tucked into this lovely Georgian terrace on Bedford Place that feels properly London without being touristy about it. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Russell Square tube station, which honestly makes getting anywhere in the city ridiculously easy – but the street itself has this quiet, residential vibe that’s actually quite peaceful for central London.

The building itself has that classic Bloomsbury character, all white stucco and elegant proportions, though I’ll be honest, some of the rooms feel a bit tired around the edges. It’s definitely a solid four-star rather than trying to punch above its weight, if you catch my drift. The lobby’s got these high ceilings and period features that remind you you’re staying somewhere with proper history, but the Wi-Fi’s decent and the beds are comfortable – which, let’s face it, is what actually matters after a long day wandering around. The staff genuinely seem to know the area well too; the concierge pointed me toward this brilliant little cafe on Marchmont Street that I never would have found otherwise.

What I really appreciated was the location’s sweet spot factor. You’re close enough to the British Museum that you could pop over for an hour before breakfast (it gets mental busy after 11am, trust me), but you’re also walking distance to Covent Garden and the West End without being in the middle of all that chaos. The streets around here come alive during the week with all the publishing houses and university crowd, then get lovely and quiet on weekends. There’s a Sainsbury’s Local right around the corner on Southampton Row, which might sound mundane but is actually brilliant when you need snacks or want to grab breakfast bits. The rooms facing the street can pick up some traffic noise – Bedford Place isn’t exactly a main road but it’s not completely silent either – though honestly, if you’re not used to city sounds, you might want to pack earplugs anyway. Check-in was smooth enough, and they held our bags without fuss when we arrived early, which always earns points in my book. It’s the sort of place that does what it promises without any major surprises, good or bad.

Rooms

• Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Executive Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Triple Room with 1 sofa bed and 1 large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Quadruple Room with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 3 children

Facilities